Meet the Staff

Lisa Kane Low is the Volunteer Executive Director of Doulas Care.  She has been a nurse-midwife since 1986 working in a variety of roles including clinical practice, administration, and education. She received her BSN from the University of Michigan, an MS in midwifery from the University of Illinois, and a PhD in Nursing with a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies at the University of Michigan. Lisa served as a program development specialist and grant writer for the Center for the Childbearing Year’s Doulas Care Program beginning in December 2001 and adding the role of Associate Director in 2006.  As of January 2008, she became Executive Director of  Doulas Care in a volunteer capacity when it transitioned to being an independent non-profit organization.  Lisa is an Assistant Professor at the University of Michigan in the School of Nursing and the Women’s Studies Department. She teaches midwifery and women’s health courses and conducts research related to care practices during labor and birth. She is also in clinical practice with the University of Michigan Nurse-Midwifery service.

Marylee Scherdt serves as the Program Director for Doulas Care. Marylee provides administrative oversight for the program and is the caring voice on the phone assisting women who call to find a doula. She also serves as a mentor for the volunteers helping them to access resources and problem-solve any challenges they may be experiencing. Marylee has a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Michigan University. She has had the privilege of working with new families since 1999. During that time she has worked as a certified postpartum doula, served as a Doulas Care volunteer, volunteered as a facilitator for a Postpartum Depression support group, and is a former member of the Board of Directors at the Center for the Childbearing Year when it was a non-profit organization. As the mother of three children, Marylee has been actively parenting for over 24 years.

Katie Lopez is the Client Services Coordinator for Doulas Care and a volunteer birth doula.  She also works with the Latina Outreach Coordinator to increase Doula Care’s impact on the Latino community in Washtenaw County.  Katie is working on a Masters degree from the University of Michigan School of Social Work and School of Public Health.  She has a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Latin American Studies from the University of Notre Dame. Before going back to school she taught Kindergarten in Houston, Texas for three years.  She and her husband Bill have a daughter Mia who was born in June, they are very excited as the begin the journey of parenthood!

Joliba Honzaki serves as the Latina Outreach Coordinator for the Doulas Care Program and has also worked as a volunteer doula with the program. Joliba coordinates the training for our Spanish speaking Doulas and provides translation services for our program for our Spanish speaking clients.  She is also has one daugther who is just over a year old.

Nelda Murphy, MSW, serves as a volunteer Social Work Consultant to the program in addition to being a volunteer doula herself. She provides consultation to the Volunteer Coordinator to help support new families dealing with postpartum issues and other challenges. She also aids in the development and presentation of our training programs for our volunteer Doulas.  Nelda has a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Education from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Michigan. She has 16 years of experience working in the community, providing therapy, doing research, and finding resources to help families in need of supportive services. Nelda is also a mom of 10 years and a School Social Worker who is passionate about helping families during the childbearing year.

About

• Our Mission, Values and Vision
• Meet the Staff
• Board of Directors
• What is a doula?
  • Birth Doulas
  • Postpartum Doulas
  • Doula Training and Education
  • Comments from Doulas Care Clients
• Our Funders